Bethel Family - Ourfolk

Executors; Braudus Bethel, Edward Bethel & Norris Bethel.

Wife Catherine received household goods, house during her natural life and one cow which she may select. Son Noris, the farm on which Henry resided on condition that he take special care of beloved wife Catherine and to furnish her with all the necessaries and comforts of life and to keep the house in comfortable repair and keep her cow summer and winter and if her cow should die or become useless he is to furnish her with another.

If son Norris fails to take care of wife, it is my wish that on her making complaint to the court of common pleas, that said court shall by decree order said farm to be sold and the proceeds be placed in proper hands for the support of my beloved wife during her natural life. Norris was also to pay $500 to Henry's Daughter Mialma (Melissa?) Bethel on the death of Henry's wife Catherine.

The Farm on which son Edward now resides to be equally divided by running a line North and South. Edward getting the east half and son Braudas the west half and each to pay fifty dollars for the education and support of my grandson Norris Stagg. When Norris Staggs reaches the age of 21 they are to pay him the further sum of $100 each.

The will also mentions grandchildren Elizabeth Patrick & Lucy Bankett (whose parents have not been identified). After specific requests were satisfied, the remainder of the estate was to be divided equally among his living children. The grandchildren mentioned received sums ranging from $150. to $1 each. The 3 children of Barnet (George, Theophilus & Barnet) received $1 each. They were 16 to 23 years old at the time and their father had died 5 months before the youngest was born. Apparently Henry had little concern for these 3 and their mother or he may have previously provided for them.